Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, who leads the Massachusetts city north of Boston, has been charged federally with wire fraud and money laundering in connection with an alleged scheme involving COVID-era relief funding. The case matters because it alleges that an elected local official exploited programmes intended to support people and businesses during the pandemic.

Prosecutors allege the scheme involved about $1.5 million in pandemic loans or relief funds. The charges are accusations, and DePeña is entitled to defend himself in court; a conviction would require prosecutors to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.